Solar for Hot Water

Creating hot water from solar energy is done by using the heat of the sun to directly warm a liquid contained within a sealed panel. “Wet” solar panels are made up of either a row of glass tubes or a flat panel, each with the air removed from inside to make the passage of heat between glass and liquid more efficient. The solar panels are best sited in south-facing areas and away from shade cast by other buildings or trees. The heat of the sun warms the liquid in the solar panels, which is then pumped through a hot water cylinder to warm the water inside the cylinder. Very high temperatures can be reached with these solar-based systems (sometimes over 200C on the exposed panels themselves). Therefore, the flow of liquid around the system and the use of the hot water it creates is as important for cooling the system as heating the water, so sizing is critical. Hot water temperatures in summer can easily exceed 90C and could contribute up to 50% of a building’s hot water needs. Article inspired from: Solar Energy - Renewable Pedia